I can certainly see why "mainframe disk" is more expensive, but is this the really case? Nowadays most unix / windows servers needs some sort of a SAN environment. That costs a lot of money, like an Clariion, or the like. I am still convinced that the hidden service that IBM provide where they remove a faulty disk from an ESS and send it back to be analyzed and the regularity with which they provide microcode...
Just my $0.01 Herbie -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ron Hawkins Sent: 18 Januarie 2008 06:07 To: IBM-MAIN@BAMA.UA.EDU Subject: Re: Flash memory arrays John, I'm not sure I agree with this. If your comparing so-called "enterprise class" array price with "modular class" systems then it is not a valid comparison. Assume a barebones DMX4, DS8K or USP-V with no software products except a basic element manager and microcode. If the only difference is Fibre Channel or FICON connectivity then I don't believe there is any considerable difference in price. The conversion from CKD to FBA is done in the PCB carrying the Host ports. For HDS it is simply two Microprocessors per FICON port pair, and they are usually considerably less busy than the MP that they hand off to. Comparing any of the Arrays that support MF with "Modular class" SCSI storage is oranges and apples. Modular storage is a one trick pony - there is not enough grunt to ever consider running XRC, Flashcopy V2, HUR or SRDF/A. If you built all those capabilities into modular storage you have a price much higher than rack and stack market. It's not CKD that pushes up the price, it is the functionality of the box. I have never heard anyone complain that Mustang cost more than a Moped... Ron > > Hum, I see your point. My "concern" is the ongoing discussion around > here as to why z/OS DASD costs more per gigabyte than the Windows or > Solaris DASD. The reasons, as I see it, are two fold. First, the vendor > must write, validate, and support the emulation software on their DASD > array. Second, the vendor is "gouging" the z/OS shops "because we can". > OK, the latter is cynical of me. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html Elavon Financial Services Limited Registered in Ireland: Number 418442 Registered Office: Block E, 1st Floor, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin, Ireland Directors: Robert Abele (USA), John Collins, Terrance Dolan (USA), Pamela Joseph (USA), Declan Lynch, John McNally, Malcolm Towlson Elavon Financial Services Limited, trading as Elavon, is regulated by the Financial Regulator ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
